Dover Symphony Orchestra debuts new season with 'Invitation to the Dance'

Tuesday

Oct 15, 2013 at 1:45 PM

The members of the Dover Symphony Orchestra won't have to wait until Jan. 1 to begin New Year's Day.

Andre Lamarandre.lamar@doverpost.com@302DoAndre

The members of the Dover Symphony Orchestra won't have to wait until Jan. 1 to begin New Year's Day, since they'll pop the champagne this Saturday when they start their new concert season.

DSO will open its 2013-14 season – its 46th year – with a performance at Calvary Assembly of God in a show titled "Invitation to the Dance," featuring classical pieces from the 18th Century to modern day.

Dover Symphony conductor Don Buxton spoke with the Dover Post about the new season, the theme of Saturday's concert, and more.

Q What does it mean to you to enter into your 25th season with DSO?

A I never thought I'd be with them so very long. But I've found all the performers and patrons to be real charming, and that's kept me coming back. I love the Dover area and I love my musicians.

Q What are some new things you all will be doing for the 2013-14 season?

A I think one of the big things we're doing is trying to partner with art organizations in the region, one of them being Dover Downs and another being the Festival of Trees for our holiday concert at Dover Downs on Dec. 1. Local artists will be using the lobby at Dover Downs for an opportunity to show their artwork. This is really part of our new outreach program and collaborative program where we want to work with art organizations and artisans. Artists will also show off their work at our opening concert, and we hope to continue this at our performances. Another new thing is we've also moved our performances from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m., because some people are really hesitant to come out late on Saturday nights. On Saturday night some people just don't like to drive, so we said, "let's make it easier on them to come to our concerts." We're trying every effort to listen to our patrons.

Q What can you tell us about the selections you'll perform on Saturday?

A We're doing Pyotr Ilyich Tchainkovsky's "Marche Slave," Enrique Granados' two Spanish pieces dances: "Oriental" and "Rondolla," Serge Prokofieff's "March" and Camille Saint-Saens' "Danse Macabre." Our theme of the evening is "Invitation to the Dance." We're actually starting the program with Carl Maria von Weber's "Invitation to the Dance." He was an early 19th century composer. The one thing I think is great about DSO is we always strive to go out of our way to program pieces that our audiences are familiar with, while also performing pieces that they may not know so they'll walk away with something new they've learned and loved.

Q What are some familiar melodies the audience might recognize?

A We'll be playing Marvin Hamlisch's music from "A Chorus Line," which was a Broadway smash. Some of the songs will include "What I Did for Love" and "I Really Need This Job." The premise of "A Chorus Line" revolved around people auditioning for a dance job.

Q Explain how you've ensured that DSO's 2013-14 season will surpass the previous one?A The first thing is audience building so we can let people know they have a really great orchestra, and it's their orchestra that's [right here] in Dover. There are a lot of people that don't know it exists and that it's existed for a long as it has. I think that's a big reason for us to get the word out.

Q What are some plans you all have in mind to expand your audience?A In general, we're looking at promotional strategies such as radio spots, PSAs and, of course, advertising in the Dover Post, and articles.

IF YOU GO

WHAT Dover Symphony Orchestra opening concert for 2013-14 season

WHEN 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19

WHERE Calvary Assembly of God, 1141 E. Lebanon Road, Dover

COST $20 adults; $15 military, students and seniors (65 or older); free for children under 16 with a paying adult